Single-Account and Multiple-Account Self-Generation

Most renewable self-generation projects are for a single account, such as a single-family home or commercial meter. However, in some cases, customers want to apply credits for the energy produced by a single generator to several electric accounts. For example, the Local Government Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer Program (RES-BCT)  program allows a local government to install up to 5 MW of renewable generation per location (account) within its geographic boundaries to offset the energy provided by PG&E and to export any excess energy to the PG&E electric grid for credits that offset charges at one or more other locations within the same geographic boundaries.  Similarly, NEMVMASH allows eligible customers to allocate credits from a single generator to multiple accounts at one or more sites.

The table below explains which Single-Account and Multiple-Account Self-Generation Programs are currently available under Electric Rule 21

Single Account Programs

Standard NEM
Standard Net Energy Metering (NEM) is a program for customers with generators of 30 Kilowatts (kW) or less that use renewable fuels. Although you can choose any type of renewable energy technology under Standard NEM, many customers choose:
  • Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. PV solar panels convert sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity. An inverter then changes the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for home or business electrical use. Learn more about PV technologies.
  • Small wind turbine systems. Small wind systems convert wind motion to DC electricity, and an inverter then changes the DC electricity to AC for home or business electrical use. Learn more about small wind systems.

To apply, go to the Standard NEM application (Form 79-1101) for photovoltaic and wind systems.

Other qualifying renewable energy technologies currently include biomass, solar thermal, geothermal, fuel cells using renewable fuels, small hydroelectric generation, digester gas, municipal solid waste conversion, landfill gas, ocean wave, ocean thermal and tidal current.

Go to the application (Form 79-974) and supplemental application (Form 79-998) to apply for these other renewable energy technologies.

Learn about incentives and rebates for solar and wind energy systems.
Expanded NEM
Expanded Net Energy Metering (NEM) is a program for residential, commercial, agricultural or industrial customers who install solar, wind, or other qualifying renewable energy technologies sized between 30 Kilowatts (kW) and 1 megawatt (MW). The most commonly used renewable power sources for Expanded NEM customers are:
  • Photovoltaic (PV) solar panels. PV solar panels convert sunlight into direct-current (DC) electricity, and an inverter then changes the DC electricity into alternating current (AC) electricity for home or business use. Learn more about PV technologies.
  • Small wind turbine systems. Small wind systems convert wind motion to DC electricity, and an inverter then changes the DC electricity to AC for home or business electrical use. Learn more about small wind systems.
  • Other qualifying renewable energy technologies currently include biomass, solar thermal, geothermal, fuel cells using renewable fuels, small hydroelectric generation, digester gas, municipal solid waste conversion, landfill gas, ocean wave, ocean thermal and tidal current.

    Go to the application (Form 79-974) and supplemental application (Form 79-998) for Expanded NEM renewable energy technologies.

    Learn about incentives and rebates for solar and wind energy systems.
Net Energy Metering for Fuel Cell Customer-Generators (NEMFC)
NEMFC is a Net Energy Metering program for Bundled Service and Community Choice Aggregation Service (CCA Service) customers who are served under a Time-of-Use rate schedule. To be eligible for NEMFC, customers must certify that
  • Their NEMFC generator Is an eligible fuel cell electrical generating facility with a capacity no greater than 1,000 Kilowatts (kW) that interconnects and operates in parallel with PG&E’s electrical system and is located on or adjacent to the customers’ owned, leased or rented premises
  • Their generator interconnects and operates in parallel with the PG&E grid while the grid is operational and is sized to offset part or all of their electrical requirements
  • They are the recipient of local, state or federal funds or are self-finance projects designed to encourage the development of Eligible Fuel Cell Electrical Generating Facilities
  • They use technology the California Public Utilities Commission has determined will reduce greenhouse gas emissions and meet emission standards required for funding
The NEMFC program is available on a first-come, first-served basis and will be closed to new customers once 45 Megawatts (MW) of cumulative rated generating capacity is reached. Customers may participate in the NEMFC program if they have been approved by PG&E for interconnection, and their generating facilities begin operation before January 1, 2014. A PG&E-approved Customers may participate in the NEMFC program for the operating life of their eligible fuel cell electrical generating facilities. For more information about NEMFC, including how credits and charges are calculated, view PG&E's NEMFC tariff.

Go to the application (Form 79-974) and supplemental application (Form 79-998) for NEMFC.Learn about incentives and rebates for fuel cell systems.
NEM Multiple Tariff (NEMMT)

NEMMT is a Net Energy Metering program for customers who operate two or more types of generation technologies from one facility and do not sell the power they generate using PG&E or California Independent System Operator (CAISO) equipment. Customer generating technologies may include any combination of generators as long as least one is a generator that qualifies for one of the NEM programs.

PG&E allows customers to interconnect these technologies with our electric grid at one service point, using one account, and still qualify for the special rate options that would be available to them if each technology were interconnected and billed separately. This saves the customer the cost of separate connections. View PG&E's NEMMT tariff, which is covered under Special Condition #5 of PG&E's NEMFC tariff.

Go to the application (Form 79-974) and supplemental application (Form 79-998) for NEMMT.

Learn about incentives and rebates for NEM rograms.

Multiple-Account Programs

Local Government Renewable Energy Self-Generation Bill Credit Transfer (RES-BCT)

The RES-BCT program allows a local government with one or more eligible renewable generating facilities to export energy to the grid and apply credits for the exported energy to multiple accounts within its geographic boundaries. The local government can install an eligible renewable generator up to 5 megawatts (MW) --called the "generating account"--on property within its geographic boundaries that it owns or has under its control. The generating account may or may not use the electricity it generates. PG&E will install a generating account meter that separately measures both the electricity drawn from the grid and that exported to the grid. Metered exports to the grid are used to calculate the generation credits.

The Local Government can designate up to 50 "benefiting accounts" to receive the credits. These accounts must be located within the local government's geographic boundaries and on property it controls to receive these generation credits. For more information about RES-BCT and how the credits work, view PG&E's RES-BCT tariff.

Go to the application (Form 79-974) and supplemental application (Form 79-998) for RES-BCT.
Virtual Net Energy Metering for Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (NEMVMASH)
NEMVMASH is a Net Energy Metering (NEM) program for income-qualified multi-family housing applicants. Eligible customers have two options under this program.
  • The first allows Multifamily Affordable Solar Housing (MASH) participants or low-income housing facilities enrolled in the New Solar Homes Partnership (NSHP) to allocate credits from one solar generating system across multiple accounts located at the same customer service delivery point but individually metered by PG&E. This option enables multiple tenants to enjoy the benefits of central solar generation without requiring each to physically connect a generator to each billing meter.
  • The second option allows MASH participants or low-income housing facilities enrolled in the NSHP to allocate credits from a generator to accounts located at multiple customer service delivery points within their “Eligible Low-Income Development.”
For more information about NEMVMASH, go to PG&E's NEMVMASH tariff. Or view information about incentives under this program.

Go to the application (Form 79-1109) for NEMVMASH.

Go to the application (Form 79-1124) for NEMVMAS for different delivery point
Of course, if you can't find what you need, you can always contact PG&E. Our EGI team members are happy to help. You'll find contact information on the pages specific to your type of project, or email gen@pge.com.
 
FacebookTwitterYouTubeCurrents
  • Call Before You Dig
  • Outage Map
  • California Solar Initiative